Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 1

Written Answers. - Wheelchair Accessible Taxis.

Mary Flaherty

Ceist:

13 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some wheelchair users are having difficulty getting the officially licensed disabled taxis to facilitate them with collections at appointed times; and if he will have arrangements made to investigate this matter.

Máirín Quill

Ceist:

23 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to extend the present position in relation to the introduction of wheelchair accessible taxis in the Cork taxi meter area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Peter Barry

Ceist:

81 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a special grant to Cork Corporation to ensure that a fleet of taxis, suitable for wheelchair users, will be available in Cork city; if he has received any such proposal from Cork Corporation; and his views on whether such taxis are essential.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 23 and 81 together.

In July 1992, I made regulations authorising the Garda Commissioner to grant 50 new licences for wheelchair accessible taxis in the Dublin taximeter area on a pilot basis. In addition to these special licences, I understand that approximately 30 additional taxi licence holders in the Dublin taximeter area have provided wheelchair accessible vehicles.

The operation of the service has been kept under review and views have been sought from organisations representing the interests of people who use wheelchairs. While the reaction to the new service in Dublin has been very favourable, I am aware of its limitations, in terms of the number of vehicles available. I accept that there is a demand for the extension of the service and for the introduction of wheelchair accessible taxis in Cork and in other taximeter areas.

Regulations to introduce fundamental changes in the system governing the licensing of taxis and hackneys are being finalised at present, in consultation with the other Departments concerned, and I intend that these regulations will be made in the near future. The regulations will include provisions to facilitate the extension of the service in Dublin and the provision of wheelchair accessible taxis in areas outside of Dublin.